What an epic NFL season that just went into the books. It was a true joy writing about the wild events on NFL.com. From the emotionally powered Indianapolis Colts to the league's dazzling rookie quarterbacks to the victorious Baltimore Ravens, this was an amazing NFL season.

With Super Bowl XLVII now in the rearview mirror, I decided to take a look back at 47 -- make that XLVII -- of the most memorable aspects of the 2012 campaign.

1) Joe Flacco hoists the Lombardi Trophy. What a picture. Earlier this year, I wrote that I didn't trust the Baltimore Ravens quarterback. I didn't write that for shock value or to get extra clicks. Flacco had a very up-and-down regular season -- which is what made his flawless and dominant playoff run even more special.

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27) Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians steps in for Pagano and adroitly guides Indy to the playoffs. Those efforts land Arians -- who also gets the job as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach -- the NFL's Coach of the Year award.

28) We get to see a tearful Pagano address the Colts in the locker room after a win, talking about his fight against leukemia, about how he was going to coach again and dance at his daughters' weddings. Then, we get to see Pagano dance in the locker room with his players. That was the image of the year.

45) Wilson leads Seattle to a road victory over Chicago in Week 13.Seahawks general manager John Schneider rightly told me it was the defining game of his team's season, giving Seattle the confidence that it could beat a good opponent on the road.